The victim told the defendant to calm down before driving off but Williams followed close behind.

Prosecutor Steve Knowles told the court: “The taxi driver told his passenger he could not drop him off yet because of what was happening. He had to stop at the junction with Greasley Road. The driver from the vehicle behind got out and the taxi driver immediately drove off.

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“The defendant got back in his vehicle, followed him and sped up to catch him up.

“It was obvious to the taxi driver that the defendant was going to cause some trouble. He asked his customer to call the police and they advised him to go to the police station.

“He drove around Abbey Hulton because he felt it would be safer. He pulled up in front of a bus in the hope the defendant would not follow.

“He allowed his passenger to leave and he used side roads to report the matter at the police station. He told officers he was abused and he was in fear of being assaulted.”

The taxi driver’s customer confirmed he heard the defendant use racist language.

In his police interview, Williams said he was driving home from his dad’s house when a taxi pulled out at the junction causing him to make an emergency stop. He said he beeped his horn and said, ‘What the hell are you doing?’.

He said he was angry as the driver did not apologise. He followed the taxi because he wanted to have a word. He said he did get out his car but was not aggressive. He added he was not racist and said he had ‘coloured’ friends.

Williams, who has no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to racially aggravated threatening, abusive words or behaviour.